United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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At the end of the Tory Congress in Manchester, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has probably presented his last offer to the EU, which does not provide for any border checks on Ireland. These proposals are a compromise for both sides, Johnson said. "And I really hope that our friends understand that and are ready to compromise."
In addition, Johnson announced that he would lead his country out of the EU without an agreement on 31 October, talks with Brussels should not lead to a new agreement.
"We will work on a deal with our EU friends, but whatever happens, we have to quit at the end of October," Johnson said. Three and a half years after the referendum, the British felt "as if they were being fooled".
So far, there is no need to control the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland because the same rules apply to tariffs and product standards on both sides. However, it is feared that the introduction of controls could bring back the tensions of the Northern Ireland conflict. In the decades-long civil war were mostly Catholic advocates of an Irish association and predominantly Protestant Britain loyalists.
So far, it was envisaged that an open border in Ireland would be protected by the backstop guarantee clause in the exit agreement. The backstop provides for the UK to apply the common external tariffs of the EU and partially internal market rules until another solution is found. However, Johnson vehemently rejects this because London would then be unable to conclude free trade agreements with third countries such as the USA.
In the afternoon there will be a telephone conversation between Johnson and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The call is scheduled for 17:15, said a spokeswoman on Wednesday. According to her, the EU has not yet received a proposal from London. The EU wants an agreement, she said. For this, however, all the conditions of the EU for solving the Northern Ireland problem would have to be met.
